Appliance for playing race games



. PARSONS.

APPUANCE FoR-PLAY|NG RACE GAMES.

APPLCATION FILED FEB.` l. 1922.

Patented.' May 2,1922.

muy@

noz

32m". z... Einw 2D d "051101)n q www@ ed ....UM

UNITED STATES WILLIAM JAMES PARSONS, F LONDON, ENGLAND.

APPLIANCE FOB PLAYING RACE GAMES.

Application led February 1, 1922. Serial No. 533,457.

To all whom t muy concern.'

Be it known that I, WILLIAM JAMEs PA R soNs, a subject of the King ofGreatBrltam, residing at London, England, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Appliances forp Playing Race (rames, (for .whichI have lfiled an application in England N ovember125, 1920,) of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved race game, of the type in whichplaying pieces such as toy horses are moved over a chart, representing arace course, according to certain rules, and as determined by cardsbearing indications corresponding to the playing pieces and alsoinstructions, denoting the moves to be imparted to the various playingpieces by the players.

The object of the invention is to provide a race game which can beplayed under conditions closely approaching those introduced in actualracing, such as in flat, hurdle, or steeplechasing.

According to the invention, the moves to be made by toy horses over abase or board marked out to represent a race course are controlled bymeans of a pack of cards, bearing indications corresponding to thehorses and also instructions as to the nature of the move to be made bythe horse or horses, the instructions being such however, as not only toprovide for simple forward moves, but also to provide for bumping,swerving, bet-tering of position by moving nearer to the rails of thecourse and the like, moves corresponding to conditions arising in actualracing.

The invention also includes the use of a movable model winning post, andthe addition to the pack of cards, of a winning post card, for a purposeto be hereinafter more fully described.

The invention further includes the use of miniature hurdles withcorresponding fall cards added to the pack.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, referencewill now be made to the accompanying drawingswhich illustrate thevarious elements utilized in playing the game, and in which drawings;

Figure 1 is a plan view of the base with the course marked out thereon.

Specification of Letters Patent.

. Patented May 2, 1922.

Figure 2 represents one set of cards for one horse, and forming part ofa pack.

Figure 3 represents one set of cards for a pa111'{of horses, and alsoforming part of the pac Figure 4 is a winning post.

Figures 5 and 6 are respectively side v1ew of a model hurdle and Figure7 represents one of the horses.

In carrying out the invention according to one mode by way of example,in its application to a horse racing game for eight players, a flat basewhich 'may be constructed of wood, but preferably made of linen so as topermlt of folding or rolling, is marked out in the form of a course inthe following manner.

Two spaced parallel lines 2, 2, are provided to represent side rails ofthe course, and such side lines 2, 2, are joined at their u pper andlower ends by the lines 3, 4 respectively to form a rectangle.

The side lines 2, 2, are joined near to each end by the cross lines 5,6, of which constitute the starting line and the winning linerespectively.

The space between the line 4 and the'line 5, is divided into eightspaces 8 by lines 7 parallel to the side lines 2, 2, each space 8 beingprovided for a horse and advantageously corresponding in length thereto.

Aligned with each space 8, and extending the full length of the course,is a track constituted by short longitudinally spaced lines 9 at rightangles to the side lines 2. one track thus being provided for eachhorse.

The distance between the lines 9 of each track is the same up to theline A-B which is arranged at a point ab'out three quarters of thelength of the course, and from this point the distance is lessened.

The lines 9 of the first, third, fifth and seventh track are displacedlongitudinally relatively to the lines,9, of the second, fourth, sixthand eighth track, as shown.

Certain of the tracks may be marked with rings 10, and a distance line11 may be marked at a point near to the winning line 6.

A line of dots 12 divides the course cenplan view of a model movable aplan and trally and longitudinally.

60 Thus. for example,

Model horses 13 such as shown in Figure 7 a winning post 14, Figure 4,.and a pack of 'cards are provided for use with the base.

The pack of cards comprises one set of four for each horse and one setof four for each successive pair of horses. 4

rllhe four cards constituting the set for horse No. 1, are shown inFigure 2, from which it will be seen that all four cards are marked withthe number of the horse, and bear res ectiively the followinglinstructions.

(a) lvicves four spaces. (b) Moves three spaces.

c) Moves to rails and one forward. 5d) Bumped, rest move one forward.

. 1t is of course to be understood that four similar cards bearing thesame instructions but marked with different numbers corresponding todifferent horses are provided for each. of the other horses.

The four cards constituting a set for a pair of horses are marked withthe numbers c of the horses forming the pair` two of the cards havingthe lower number first, and the other two having the lower numberlast,as

shown in Figure 3 which represent the set.

for horses No. 1 and 2l Each horse of the pair thus has an equal chanceof precedence \as regards turm or order ofmove.

1n addition to the numbers of the horses arranged as described, thecards constituting this set bear the following instructions respectivelyas shown in the figures in question (a) 1 and 2 move l space. (b) Nos. 2and 1 move 1 space. (c) {Na 1 moves two spaces.

No. 2 swerves. (d) No. 2 movesl two spaces. c@ No. 1 swerves.

Asi before it is to be understood that sets of cards .bearing the sameinstructions are` 'provided for horses 3 and 4, 5 and 6, and4 7 and 8.

In playing the game the numbered horses are arranged in the spaces 8,which may be correspondingly numbered and the cards are either turned upsuccessively, land the moves made by the players, accordingl to theinstructions on the card turned up, or the cards may be dealt out to theplayers` who then either turn them up successively, in order of play,without first inspecting them, or first inspect them, and play themaccording to their judgment, and in turn, as in whist for example, thehorses being moved in every case by the players in accordance with theinstructions given -on the cards turned up or played.

if a card bea-ring the number 1 with the instructions Moves threespaces, is turned up, or played, the player owning horse No. 1 moves hishorse from the space 8, on to for that particular' horse. A

the third line 9 of the track' Mieres move one forward, the playerowning horse No. 1 moves his horse forward, but diagonally to the nextline 9, in a direction towards the dotted centre line 12, which move ineffect brings that horse only half a space nearer to the winning post,but on the track for another horse, whilst all the other players movetheir horses on to the nextline 9, of their own tracks if notalreadytaken up by another horse.

When a card is turned up or played bearing the instructions No. 2 movestwo spaces, No. 1 swerves the player owning horse No. 2 moves his horseforward from the'line 9, o n which the forefeet of the horse are thenengaged,on the second line 9, therefrom, while the player owning horseNo. 1 moves his horse forward, but diagonally to the second line 9, awayfrom the line originally occupied, this move in effect placing thathorse one space nearer the winning post.

Should for example, the card be played or turned up bearing the number 1and the instructions Moves to rails and one forward the owner of horseNo. l first moves his horse laterally until reaching one of the siderailsA 2 and then forwardly to the next line 9.

1f the horse of a player in making a move is passed over a space markedwith the ring 10, the space is not counted, but if a horse by beingbumped or swerving reaches a space marked with a ring 10, such spacemust be counted as usual.

By making the distance between the lines 9 shorter Atowards the winningpost line the progression of the horses is delayed thereby adding to thechances of the horses finishing level or in close relation, and sodenoting small degrees by which the foremost horse wins.

Each .horse isy advantageously of a length equal to two spaces betweenthe lines 9. Again,

say half a division in front ofthe next and so on, and such amount maybe considered as winning by a neck. y

From the foregoing the manner in which the moves are to be made inaccordance with the instructions on the cards will be readilyappreciated.

Observance of the following rules, which are given by way of example,will facilitate play in its simplest form. 1) `All horses at the startto be placed in their respective spaces, (which maybe drawn for) withforefeet on the starting post line (5).

as the lines are in staggered relation one horse may arrive at thewinning post (2) The cards to be dealt out to the players, or exposedsuccessively by a referee.

(3) Horses to be moved in accordance with the instructions on the cardsas they are exposed or played, by sliding sald horses from one positionto another as the case may be.

(a) Directly forward.

(b) Diagonally as necessary, or if pre- 4 ferred to directly forward.

c) Sideways.

4) After crossin the starting ost line both forefeet of eac horse to bea ways on a stop (i. e. a line 9), two horses not belng permitted in thesame space at the same time.

(5) No horse to be permitted to occupy the space immediately in front ofanother horse unless bumped or swerved into that position, although aspace immediately behind a horse may be occupied by the horse of anotherplayer.

(6) Any move prevented from completion by reason of the posltion takenup by one or more horses on the course, to be completed as far aspossible.

(7) All horses to be moved in the order in which their numbers appear onthe cards.

(8) In moving a horse overa ringed space, the space is not to becounted, but a horse being bumped or swerved on to a ringed space, tocount that space as usual.

(9) Bumped or swerved moves to be taken away from the nearer rails, evenif the latter move is only partly possible, if not possible at all inthis direction, the move to be taken towards the'near rails.

These moves may occur at any position, on the course and a horse may bebumped. or swerved over the winning post, and thus win. If a horse isbumped or swerved at the starting post line however, the move is to belost.

(10) When the card is played or turned] up bearing the instructions Restmove one the leading horse is to be moved first and so on in order. Iftwo horses are level the horse nearer the No. 1 side of the course tohave irst move of the two. This move is not to be allowed to any horsebeyond the` distance line.

(11) A horse moving to rails to have the choice of 1) either vdirection(2) moving only partly towards the rails (3) not moving sideways at all,the move forward however is always to be taken.

(12) The first horse having its forefeet placed beyond the winning postline is the wmner.

(13) A dead heat occurs only when two horses are both on the winningpost line and a card is exposed givinginstructions for both to move onespace. v (14) When two horses are both on the winning post line, and acard is. exposed instructing one to move two spaces, and the other toswerve, the former is the winner, and the latter is to be regarded assecond.

The course may be provided at suitable and advantageously equally spaceddistances with marks 15,l 16 denoting the positions at which modelhurdles 17 as shown in Figures 5 and 6 ma be arranged, and in such casea set of cards one card for each horse, bearing the number of the horse,and the instruction F all should beV added to the pack.

The ame then proceeds in the same manner as eore described, but inpassing over a hurdle the forefeet of the horses should be placedimmediately above the line 9 upon which they should ordinarily beresting if the hurdlel were omitted.

A horse on passing a hurdle may rest in four different positions viz:

(1) With the forefeet just touching the top of the hurdle.

(2) With its forefeet well over the hurdle.

(3) Restingnon the hurdle slightly more than half Way overand (4) `Withthe lower part of its rear legs resting onthe hurdle.

Should a card be turned up or played bearing the instruction Fall thenthe horse denoted by that card, if said horse is in any of the fourpositions last mentioned, remains there until all other horses behindhave been passed over, or remain on the hurdle.

In either variation of the games i. e. with or without hurdles, a cardmarked Winning post and bearing an instruction to move the winning postinto another position may be added to the pack, and the game thenproceeds as before, except that if the Winning post cardbe turned up orplayed the movable winning. post 14 is placed on the course in theposition indicated by the card.

The game then continues, with the post 14 in its new. position, takingthe place of the winning post line 6, on the track.

Instead of using model hurdles, the course may be marked by lines forexample and indications to denote hurdles, and similarly indicationssuch as Starting post Distance line and Winning post may be marked onthe course.

It will be readily appreciated lfrom the foregoing that many variationsmay be made in the method of plav without departing Afrom the invention,and it is therefore to be understood that the invention is in no wayhorses, a chart marked in the form of a race course upon which saidhorses are moved 1n the playlng of the game, and a pack of cards bearingindications for the moves of the horses uponv said chart, said cards in`13o cluding sets of cards limited to each partie ular horse and sets ofcards limited to certain pairs of horses, whereby a s ingle card maycontrol the movement of a smgle horse or a pair of horses.

2. Apparatus for playmg race games comprising 1n comblnatlon playingpieces representlng horses, a pack of cards bearmg 1ndicationscorresponding to the horses and instructions for the 'moves to theparticular horsesindicated some of said cards also bearing penalty andprivllege 1ndications simulating the conditions encountered in actualracing such as bumping,

swerving, proximity to the rails, and the like,

one card in said pack/bearing an indication denoting the posltion of theWinning post, a chart marked in the form of a course and -upon whichsaid horses are moved in accordance with the instructions on said cards,and a movable plece representlng a winning post,

be made by Lerares substantially as and for the purpose hereinbeforesetforth.

, Apparatus for playing race games comprising in combinationplayingrpleces representlng horses, a pack of cards bearing indicationscorresponding to the `horses and instructions for the moves to be madeby the particular horses indicated some of said cards also bearinpenalty and privilege indications simulating the conditions encounteredin vactual racing such as bumping, swerving, falling, proximity to therails and the like, some of the cards bearing the instruction Fall, achart marked in the form of a course, and movable hurdles to be' placedon said chart, substantially as and for the purpose4 hereinbefore setforth.

In testimony whereof I. have signed my name to this specication.

WILLMM JAMES PARSUNS.

pieces representing 4

